Community News
It’s a New Year! Create a New You!

It is time to remove any negative thoughts that have accumulated during the past year. Let me help you create a successful and fulfilling 2025. Negative attitudes and thoughts can be harmful to your health and well-being. They can create chronic stress, which may damage your immune system, upset your hormone balance, and cause other health issues. Call today for a complimentary information session and discover how to release those negative patterns and trapped emotions that no longer serve you.

Keeping Busy in the Winter

Winter can be chilly and uninviting. As the days grow short and cold, excursions become tricky in the ice and cold. If there is nothing to do, evenings become long. Take this time to explore new things; read a new author; and stretch your mind with a brain game; perhaps you prefer a puzzle; or you can learn an instrument! A home-care service can facilitate you or your loved one staying at home safely. They will get you to errands, help cook a lovely meal or just engage in some good old conversation; whatever is needed. We are happy to help.

Start the New Year with Better Hearing

January is the ideal time to reset your wellness goals — including your hearing. Even mild hearing loss can affect communication, confidence, and overall quality of life, yet many people delay seeking support. A professional hearing evaluation is a quick, comfortable first step toward clearer conversations and stronger connections. Modern hearing aids are discreet, powerful, and tailored to your unique needs, helping you stay engaged in every moment. Prioritize your hearing health this year and discover how improved hearing can enhance your daily life, relationships, and well-being. Your best year yet starts with better hearing.

Meet the Practitioner: Stephanie Brossard

Stephanie is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™. She graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute in 2015 and completed her advanced training in Germany in 2023. Stephanie is also a certified yoga instructor, which is a great combination for understanding how bodies move and function. Stephanie found Rolfing when she was searching for a solution to the issues she was having after a bunion surgery. She had tried everything she could think of, but nothing seemed to help. Three sessions of Rolfing fixed the problem for good and changed her life forever, as she decided that she wanted to be a Rolfer and help people too.

Help Meet Basic Needs this Winter

With holidays behind us, many residents find this to be the most challenging time of the year. The nights are cold, and housing and grocery prices are high. When finding it difficult to make ends meet, hope cannot wait. That’s why SOS’s Winter Emergency Fund is an essential resource, providing help with groceries, medicine, propane, and other vital items to support those experiencing hardship. To make a difference this winter, donate at www.sosd69.com, call 250-248-2093, or visit the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. Thank you for your support.

Community Fundraising Walk

Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is an annual event that supports people in our communities who have experienced homelessness. This fundraiser helps ICCS run programs that provide shelter, care and holistic support to help them step forward to independence and hope. CNOY 2026 takes place on February 28th, 2026, drawing individuals together to support the cause through raising money as well as taking part in a 2 km or 5 km walk. Across Canada, over 200 communities are involved with CNOY, supported by people who care about their communities and the most vulnerable people who live in them

Awaken to a Deeper Understanding of Life

As a new year begins, many people focus on improving their physical health, yet true wellness also includes nourishing the mind and spirit. The Grail Message offers timeless guidance for those seeking clarity, purpose, and inner balance. Its teachings illuminate the natural, spiritual laws that shape our lives and encourage personal responsibility, conscious decision-making, and deeper self-awareness. By exploring these insights, readers gain a clearer understanding of the forces at work in everyday experiences and discover a path toward lasting peace and fulfillment. Start the year with inspiration – open your mind to a teaching that offers an inexhaustible well of knowledge and invaluable aids for understanding life.

Start the Year with a Clean Slate

A new year is the perfect time to clear away clutter and give your home a fresh start. Pack away decorations, tidy up storage spaces, and tackle the spots that were easy to overlook during the holidays. A clean home not only looks good — it also feels good. Regular cleaning helps brighten your surroundings and lighten your mood. If you’d rather skip the heavy lifting, TCB Cleaning Services can help you welcome 2026 with a spotless home and a stress-free start to the year.

Never Throw Out a Will!

Did you know that the executor of an estate may have responsibilities that extend long after probate is closed? Cemetery plots purchased by a deceased loved one remain the property of their estate and it is the executor who decides who may go in the plot. Frequently families wish to bury an urn or two with the casket of a grandparent, but without that will it is a more difficult paperwork process. At Hatley Memorial Gardens we specialize in making that process as easy as possible. If you have family with us, consider locating that will and calling us today to see about assigning burial rights to additional family members.

A Gift for Loved Ones

Pre-planning your final arrangements is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your loved ones. It ensures your wishes are clearly understood, protects your family from difficult decisions during an emotional time, and can help lock in costs at today’s prices. At Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, pre-planning is guided with compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to honouring every individual’s story. Their team helps you explore options thoughtfully and without pressure, creating a plan that brings peace of mind for the future. By choosing Cedar Valley, you ensure your legacy is preserved with dignity, care, and lasting respect.

Is Climbing Stairs Becoming Difficult?

The Handicare 1100 straight stairlift offers a path to restored home independence. Its key benefits center on its ultra-slim profile—the narrowest on the market—which keeps your staircase clear for other users. It features a patented multi-drive friction system that eliminates the traditional, messy gear rack, ensuring a quieter, smoother, and grease-free ride with minimal maintenance. Safety is paramount with continuous charging, obstruction sensors, and a swivel seat for secure transfer. Optional upgrades like a powered footrest and Slide Track system can customize the lift to meet evolving mobility needs and home layouts, providing a safe, reliable, and space-saving solution.